Reliability Report · Multi-Source Data

BMW 420 Reliability

The BMW 420 (current generation) scores 80/100 on our composite reliability index — good territory — drawn from DVSA data.

Composite Score
80
/ 100
Good
Sources: DVSA · latest 2024
Market Snapshot
Documented issues0
Listings in catalogue0
Found a listing?
Get a personalized risk + price verdict in 30 seconds.
carVertical20% off for AutoFindr readers

Buying a BMW 420? Check its VIN history first

Reliability data covers the model. A VIN history report covers the exact BMW 420 you're looking at — accident and write-off records, mileage rollback, outstanding finance and theft checks.

carVertical is our one disclosed affiliate partner — we earn a commission if you buy a report. It doesn't affect our reliability scores, which come from TÜV, ADAC, DVSA MOT and NHTSA data.

Reliability by Source

Each independent organization measures reliability differently. TÜV reports inspection defect rates by age band. ADAC reports pan-European breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles. NHTSA aggregates US consumer complaints. DVSA MOT data is the UK fleet's annual safety inspection — every car 3+ years old. Lower variance across sources = higher confidence in the composite.

DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2010–2021 · 2024 report · n=121299
121,299 UK MOT tests · overall 12.0% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
84
/ 100
DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2009–2020 · 2023 report · n=62035
62,035 UK MOT tests · overall 14.0% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
75
/ 100

UK MOT Reliability Detail

Based on 121,299 MOT tests in the UK during the 2024 reporting period. Score for each age band reflects this model's fail rate vs the UK-fleet baseline fail rate at the same age — a generation-aware metric.

Age 35 yrs
74
9.8% fail vs 10.9% fleet
21,529 tests
Age 69 yrs
86
11.7% fail vs 19.2% fleet
83,215 tests
Age 1014 yrs
90
16.4% fail vs 32.1% fleet
16,555 tests

Most Common MOT Failure Categories

#1
Condition
12,667
43.9%
#2
Windscreen
5,995
20.8%
#3
Tread depth
4,637
16.1%
#4
Brake pads
2,962
10.3%
#5
Wipers
2,595
9.0%

Categories ranked across all MOT tests of this model in the UK during the 2024 period. "Condition" covers cosmetic / wear issues; suspension and braking dominate the rest.

Compare Against Alternatives

See how the BMW 420 stacks up against direct rivals — same segment, similar price band, side-by-side risk + reliability.

Open the comparison tool →